Panthers Draft (2014 Edition) Part 2 of 2

117^th Overall Pick

Radel Fazleyev

Centre, Calgary Hitmen  

January 7^th, 1996 Kazan, Russia

HT: 6’0 WT: 176lbs

GM’s Take:

“Radel is an interesting pick for us. He had a slightly underwhelming year in Calgary, trying to make the adjustment to Canada, before making a major impact in the Hitmen’s playoff series this year where he had 7 points in 6 games. He’s a skilled playmaker who definitely uses his skill to get in to open areas. He’s not a physical guy at all, and doesn’t head in to the corners as much as he should. This next year development will be key as he continues to adjust to the North American game. He should play a key role on Calgary this year and we hope to see more of what we saw in the playoffs. He’s probably the biggest project pick so far on this list, but the tools we have seen have the potential to really be dangerous.”

125^th Overall Pick

Vladimir Tkachev

Left Wing, Moncton Wildcats

October 5^th, 1995 Omsk, Russia

HT: 5’9 WT: 163lbs

GM’s Take:

“Another pick, and another Russian. This one felt a little more safe, considering we are picking a guy who is already playing hockey in North America. I think the thing that scared most teams off was a tiny forward who still hasn’t fully developed on the defensive side of the puck and is not the most physical. You can teach a player to be better defensively, but you can’t teach the offensive prowess that Tkachev has. The guy is quick and shifty with the puck, taking the QMJHL by storm when he joined late in the season when he put up 30 points in 20 games. He also put up over a goal per game in the playoffs, and that really sold us on him. If he can bulk up a little more, hopefully grow another inch or two and develop more on the defensive side, then we have an excellent pick that would definitely have top 6 potential. We are really looking forward to him playing a full year in Moncton this season, and then we will see from there where he goes.”

126^th Overall Pick

Taylor Leier

Left Wing, Portland Winterhawks

August 12^th, 1996 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  

HT: 5’11 WT: 176lbs

GM’s Take:

“Another guy we took that we believe shows a lot of character.  He was passed up the last two drafts, and while his stats continued to improve every year it doesn’t mean we expect him to become an offensive threat.  He was a captain this year on a very good Portland team, and that goes a long way for our scouts. We see Taylor maybe not being the most physical guy out there, but a solid defensively responsible 3^rd liner who can chip in 30 points a year. He has the wheels and the work ethic to be a pro, now it’s all about refining his game. We expect to see him spend a year or two in the minors before coming up.”

128^th Overall Pick

Blake Clarke

Left Wing, Saginaw Spirit  

January 24^th, 1996 Wildwood, MO  

HT: 6’1 WT: 190lbs

GM’s Take:

“I know teams have been questioning this pick, but we just couldn’t risk leaving him on the board for next year. Usually it’s not a great strategy to pick a guy who regressed heavily in his 2^nd year in the OHL, but we really feel confident in his abilities. He’s a big guy who can really battle with the best of them. He was a highly touted guy going in to junior, being a 1^st rounder and he showed it in his rookie year with Brampton. Unfortunately it really fell off this year with a mid-season trade to Saginaw that saw his point total go from 51 to 12. Though we are predicting a huge comeback from, or else we wouldn’t have made the pick. He’s got the power forward mold to him, and he’s got a great shot – he just needs to use it. We expect him to spend the next 2 years in the OHL, and if everything goes to plan he will be in San Antonio in 2 years.”

137^th Overall Pick

Joe Hicketts

Defenseman, Victoria Royals

May 4^th, 1996 Kamloops, BC

HT: 5’8 WT: 187lbs

GM’s Take:

“Picking a 5’8 defenseman isn’t usually the best strategy, but when you look at Hicketts skill set, there is a lot to like. Obviously he’s going to get hit off the puck a lot easier by some of the big guys in the league, but he is surprisingly a big guy for his size. He’s not afraid to lay the body and is strong on his skates, sort of like a Nathan Gerbe. The thing that shines for Hicketts is that he is a supreme puck handler and a dynamic player at the backend of the ice. He would have been higher up most draft boards if he wasn’t injured this year but it worked in our favour. He was an assistant at 17 for Victoria, and he seemed to take that opportunity with great earnest. The thing about Hicketts is that he has all the tools; a good passer, quick skater, strong defensively and dynamic offensively. If he was six foot and didn’t get injured this year, he probably would have been a 1^st rounder. We expect another 2 years in the WHL for him, but hopefully he can show a dominant nature over a full season this year.